GEORGE TOWN – Fourteen workers were overcome by toxic fumes when a hazardous chemical spill occurred at a factory in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone today.
Supervisor Nor Hishabanun Md Daud, 45, suffered burns when the concentrated hydrochloric acid splashed onto her during the incident in a small laboratory.
Besides having her arms scalded she also experienced breathing difficulties due to smoke inhalation.
The others within the affected area were only hit by the fumes which were not dense enough to cause serious harm.
Personnel from the state fire and rescue department’s hazmat unit rushed into the laboratory in protection gear around 1pm after a distress call was made.
The accident occurred when a glass bottle containing one litre of the acid fell and shattered inside the laboratory.
The fumes quickly engulfed the room causing the 14 workers, of whom 13 were males, to suffer breathing difficulties.
According to hazmat operations officer Muhamad Amin Mat Masli all the victims were sent to a nearby clinic to receive immediate medical attention.
They were reported to be in a stable condition while Nor Hishabanun was sent to a hospital for follow-up treatment.
The last reported chemical accident in Penang happened last year in a school laboratory when 20 form four students were experimenting on iodine.
A red alert was called as news spread about a certain “chemical explosion” within the school.
The students inside the ill-ventilated laboratory suffered from shortness of breath and 13 had to be given oxygen support by paramedics - The Vibes, October 2, 2020.
